After the Volturi visited us, intent on exterminating my niece for a crime that had not been committed, it was no wonder that my entire family longed for a break. While we didn't hurry the guests that lingered after our collective celebrations, I could sense the pressure of entertaining wearing on everyone. For a time, we needed to be alone, to reevaluate and see to the health of the whole, our coven, our family. Alice was still miffed by Bella's chastisment, despite the offered apologies by both parties, so I was mildly surprised when we joined the family in the living room one evening following Nahuel and Huilen's departure. I didn't ask questions, of course, simply trusting my mate. She squeezed my hand, offering me a worried look before flitting off to the couch with her sketchbook in hand. I had no chance to wonder, drawn into a poker game by Emmett.

Though we were spending time together, each of us was also alone, pursuing our own interests. While Emmett and I gambled away outlandish amounts of money for no reason but fun, Carlisle sat in front of the television, a notebook on his lap. Our father was giving the cooking channel his full attention, looking very much like the young knowledge-hungry medical student he had once been. Despite the numerous talents he held, cooking had always been just out of reach of our father's particular skill set. If the task was more complex than chopping or stirring, he was left at loose ends. Now, it seemed, he was attempting to change that fact. I felt a brief wave of sympathy for my niece as Rose brushed her hair. As the only member of the family whose body could process human food, she would have to serve as her grandfather's guinea pig until a member of either pack became avaliable.

Edward's piano playing drifted in from the next room, a counter note to the voices of the humans on the television. My brother was working on a new composition, something about it lighting flashes of irritation in his otherwise candid mood. Esme smiled as she sketched; she had missed his playing during those stressful weeks Alice and I had been away. Now, our mother sat next to my wife, their arms touching as they worked, both content. Bella sat on Alice's other side, immersed in her copy of Pride and Prejudice for what had to be the millionth time. The peace was unexpectedly broken after half an hour, Renesmee's voice clear and innocent.

"Why does Uncle Jasper have so many scars?"

I froze. Nobody was breathing except for my niece, watching me from across the room. They were all watching me, waiting. All but my wife, of course. Had this been the reason for her expression earlier? Was this why she had insisted we join the rest of the family? Esme's eyes were full of sorrow as Alice's voice prevented me from feeling anger at the pity of my family, a gut rection I still had not managed to fully shake from my time with Maria.

"Well, Renesmee, Uncle Jasper got his scars because he was very brave, a survivor, when he was a newborn vampire."

Her response had me growling, a quick rasp of objection that brought Emmett's big hand down on my shoulder. I forced myself to relax before meeting my brother's wary gaze. "I'm fine." Alice rose, moving slowly as she crossed the room to me. When Emmett's hand still didn't move, I finally wrenched free. As if I might bring any harm to my Alice. My wife's eyes blazed, cautioning our brother I would imagine, but I didn't care. All that mattered was the feel of her hand in mine, her small body settling into my lap, her free hand on my chest, directly above my silent heart. She rubbed there, small circles, in an effort to calm me. I kissed her temple before turning to Renesmee.

"There was...quite a bit more to it than that, Renesmee." I inhaled slowly, testing my own mood. "Would you like to hear it?"

The little girl danced over to me, moving just as gracefully as my wife, her brown eyes serious. "Will it bother you," she asked, pressing her hand to my cheek. She was remembering the stillness that lingered in the room, the expression on my face, the look in my eyes. I kissed the heel of her hand, nuzzling her palm.

"It won't bother me quite as much as you not knowing would," I responded honestly. I glanced toward my brother; Edward stood in the entryway, half his body still in the hall that separated living room and music room. His gaze was hard, probing; I knew he was reading my thoughts and so, silently, pled my case. After a few minutes, during which I worked to spread a wave of calm through the room, Edward nodded once, the defensive look slipping from his gaze.

Worry, fear, concern. I smothered their emotions as quickly as I could, before they pulled me under. Alice purred, her body flush against mine, her lips brushing against my throat. From her, there was nothing but confidence, love, and calm. As always, she was my rock. "Why don't we go outside, Nessie? You can show your uncle how far you can jump over the river."

As Alice got to her feet, I followed, kissing her hand. Truly, I couldn't show enough thanks to her as Renesmee danced ahead of us, overjoyed at the prospect of being able to show off. Leaving our family's stressed gazes, my thoughts moved to the task ahead. It was time to tell Renesmee my story.

A/N: Sorry to all my previous subscribers for pulling and re-posting, but I needed to get a fresh perspective for Ch. 2 Enjoy!